By Emmanuel Appiah
TikTok Lobbying in the News
TikTok is a video-based social media application where users can create, watch and share short, personalized videos around the world. The digital platform quickly gained popularity amongst youth and children, however, it has faced ongoing political controversy and backlash in Canada and the US. TikTok is owned by Chinese parent company ByteDance who has been at the center of nationalistic and privacy concerns regarding its data collection of American and Canadian citizens. TikTok faces impending bans and increased regulation due to security concerns with its parent company. Some governments have banned TikTok, including the Canadian government who banned its government employees from storing the app on work devices.
One of TikTok’s most vocal advocacy efforts of late was its campaign challenging the now enacted Online Streaming Act (Bill C-11). TikTok sat squarely at the center of the controversy over the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)’s purview to regulate user-generated content on platforms like TikTok in the updated S.4.2 of the bill. On September 21, 2022, the Director of Government Affairs at TikTok Canada testified before the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications (TRCM) that the bill was well-intentioned, however it inadvertently harms digital-first creators. In its September 2022 witness testimony, TikTok stated it wants to protect digital-first creators from “collateral damage”. TikTok has concerns around how “Canadian content” would be defined and how regulation would disincentivize individual content creators.
Platform lobbying raises questions of separability between large platforms and individual content-creators who use them. In the past, companies such as Uber have enlisted the general public’s support to politically challenge ensuing regulations. The Bill C-11 saga is an example of how the line between self-advocacy and creator agency can be blurred by collaborations with and financial support from digital platforms like TikTok.
TikTok made concerted efforts to engage with and support digital-first content creators, particularly those representing the Indigenous community on its platform. Over the years, news articles covered how Indigenous creators use TikTok to spread cultural awareness. TikTok launched its Accelerator for Indigenous Creators with the National Screen Institute in 2021 which provides online training to Indigenous creators to help elevate their content. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and TikTok hosted a sharing circle at TikTok’s headquarters in February 2023 to share their experiences on the app. TikTok referenced its Indigenous accelerator program in its witness testimony as a show of the platform’s contribution to discovering and supporting Canadian content. De Eyre championed this as “democratizing discoverability”. In addition, Indigenous content creators spoke up with concerns regarding the bill, sharing similar concerns raised by TikTok on defining “Canadian content” and categorizing content creators as “professional”.
TikTok similarly promoted, encouraged, and educated content creators, including Indigenous content creators, about its criticisms of Bill C-11, enlisting support from content creators including a digital creators advocacy group, Digital First Canada. In February 2022, TikTok collaborated with Digital First Canada to present to invited digital content creators about the impact and intent of the pending Bill C-11. In a Betakit article, a source maintained, however, that Tiktok’s representations were misleading. Content creators on various online platforms, including TikTok, appeared before the TRCM to share their concerns about the Bill C-11 and how it could impact monetization and business growth for Canadian content on social media.
There was a brief controversy surrounding the organization, Digital First Canada (DFC), its funding from TikTok, and government’s concerns with its lobbying. Digital First Canada is an advocacy organization representing digital creators before government and to platforms. DFC lobbied Canadian Heritage twice in April 2022. The organization’s primary political advocacy work has been to challenge Bill C-11. In May 2022, and again on September 27th, 2022, well-timed news broke about DFC receiving funds from Tiktok. This fact was a source of controversy resulting in an MP’s complaint to the Office of the Lobbying Commissioner in August 2022. Scott Benzie appeared before the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications (TRCM) on September 28, 2022. Notably, on that date, the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying found that DFC was not required to disclose “private funding, only government funding”. On October 4, 2022, Honorable Scott Tannas formally raised a question of privilege in the Senate regarding the lobbying complaint and alleged an attempt to intimidate Benzie in his September 28th hearing. At least, one content creator previously testified to feeling dismissed and intimidated by ministry officials. Founder of Digital First Canada, Scott Benzie, also alleged that content creators felt intimidated by questions in hearings. These allegations were later brought up in a question of privilege before the Senate regarding intimidation by government officials. Without question, Digital First Canada and TikTok are closely aligned in their lobbying position and political stance regarding the bill. However, the concerns from their collaboration may demonstrate a need for the government to provide clear guidance for platforms lobbying the government who also provide funding to advocacy organizations, advertise their cause to users, and otherwise financial support users.
Who Lobbies for TikTok in Canada
TikTok lobbied through two Canadian companies: (1) TikTok Technology Canada Inc. and TikTok Canada. TikTok Technology Canada has 74 total communication reports and 3 monthly reports in the last 6 months. For this blog post, “TikTok” refers to both, or either, TikTok Technology Canada Inc and TikTok Canada.
Lark Technologies Ltd, an “enterprise messaging and productivity app”, is a subsidiary of ByteDance and a reported “direct interest beneficiary” of TikTok Canada’s lobbying communications since October 20th, 2021. TikTok Canada and TikTok Technology Canada use the lobbying services from Public Affairs Advisory (also known as PAA Advisory).
From August 10, 2020, to September 1, 2022, Daniel Habashi, General Manager of TikTok Technology Canada, was the “responsible officer” for the company’s lobbying communications. Since September 1, 2022, Joshua Bloom, new General Manager of TikTok Technology Canada took over as the responsible officer for the company’s lobbying communications.
Steven de Eyre, the Director of Government Affairs at TikTok Canada, has been the responsible officer for the company’s lobbying communications since at least November 10, 2022. De Eyre previously served as a Senior Policy Officer with Industry Canada and a Research analyst in Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
The table below reflects all TikTok Technology Canada’s registered lobbyists that have held federal public office.
| Name | Position | Firm | Active/Inactive | Public Office |
| Steve de Eyre | Director, Government Relations | TikTok Technology Canada Inc. | Active | Senior Policy Officer (Industry), Global Affairs Canada, Embassy of Canada, Washington DC (November 2013 to September 2016); Research Analyst (CBSA)Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, Embassy of Canada, Washington DC (January 2011 to November 2013) |
The table below reflects all TikTok Canada’s registered lobbyists that have held federal public office.
| Name | Position | Firm | Active/Inactive | Public Office Held |
| Matthew Larventz | Consultant | PAA Advisory | Conseils / PAA Conseils | Advisory | Inactive | Legislative Assistant, House of Commons, Office of Randeep Sarai, M.P. (November 2015 to November 2017)Administrative Advisor of Operations, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Deputy Minister’s Office (January 2015 to November 2015)Student, Treasury Board Secretariat, International Affairs, Security and Justice Sector (January 2014 to January 2015)Student Regulatory Affairs Analyst, Environment Canada, Regulatory Affairs (January 2011 to June 2013) |
| Nate Little | Consultant | PAA Advisory | Conseils / PAA Conseils | Advisory | Active | Press Secretary, House of Commons, NDP Caucus Services (October 2021 to January 2022)Legislative Assistant, House of Commons, MP’s Office (Mumilaaq Qaqqaq) (March 2021 to September 2021) |
| Maryanne Sheehy | Consultant | PAA Advisory | Conseils / PAA Conseils | Advisory | Active | Advisor, Office of the Prime Minister, Stakeholder Relations and Outreach (June 2014 to November 2015)Special Advisor, Office of the Prime Minister, Office of the Chief of Staff and Principal Secretary (January 2011 to June 2014)Intern, Office of the Prime Minister, Office of the Chief of Staff and Principal Secretary (May 2010 to August 2010) Intern, Canadian Heritage, Office of the Minister of State (Status of Women) (May 2009 to August 2009) |
| Louis-Alexandre Lanthier | Consultant | PAA Advisory | Conseils / PAA Conseils | Advisory | Active | Executive Assistant, House of Commons, Office of the Right Hon. Justin Trudeau, MP for Papineau (June 2006 to March 2014)Special Assistant (Québec and Atlantic), Social Development Canada, Minister’s Office (August 2004 to February 2006)Special Assistant (Québec), Heritage Canada, Minister’s Office (November 2003 to July 2004)Executive Assistant, House of Commons, The Hon. Hélène Scherrer, MP for Louis-Hébert (January 2001 to November 2003)Legislative Assistant, House of Commons, The Hon. Mauril Bélanger, MP for Ottawa Vanier (September 1999 to September 2000)Special Assistant (student), Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Minister’s Office (May 1997 to August 1999)Special Assistant (student), Heritage Canada, Minister’s Office (May 1996 to April 1997)Research Assistant (student)House of Commons, Liberal Research Bureau (June 1994 to November 1995) |
| Stephen Yardy | Consultant | PAA Advisory | Conseils | Inactive | Legislative Assistant, House of Commons, Office of MP Lindsay Mathyssen (October 2019 to June 2022)Legislative Assistant, House of Commons, Office of MP Irene Mathyssen (June 2018 to October 2019)Legislative Assistant, House of Commons, Office of MP Erin Weir (May 2016 to June 2018)Parliamentary Assistant, House of Commons, Office of MP Dan Harris (August 2012 to February 2014) |
| James Anderson | Consultant | PAA Advisory | Conseils / PAA Conseils | Advisory | Active | Director of Policy, Foreign Affairs, Office of the Minister (June 2004 to January 2006)Director of Policy, Health Canada, Office of the Minister (December 2003 to June 2004)Sr Policy Advisor and Director of Communications, International Trade, Office of the Minister (October 1999 to December 2003)Senior Policy Advisor, Human Resources Development Canada, Office of the Minister (January 1999 to October 1999)Senior Policy Advisor, Human Resources Development Canada, Strategic Policy Branch (August 1995 to December 1998)Senior Policy Advisor, Fisheries and Oceans, Strategic Policy Branch (September 1993 to August 1995) |
| Julie Groleau | Consultant | PAA Public Affairs Advisors Inc. / CAP Conseillers Affaires Publiques Inc. | Inactive | Adjointe parlementaire Chambre des communes, Bureau du député Simon Marcil (November 2015 to November 2019) |
What has TikTok lobbied about in Canada
From August 10, 2020, to the present, both TikTok Canada and TikTok Technology Canada reported nearly the same subject matter details for lobbying on policies or program. “TikTok” lobbied about Canadian online content creators regarding the Online Streaming Act, Bill C-11. However, TikTok Technology Canada reported subject matter details about lobbying to “federal officials on proposed legal framework to address illegal content online”.
For the purposes of this section, the below list of subject matters on which TikTok Technology Canada and TikTok Canada lobbied Canada are combined. The subject matter of Tiktok’s lobbying since August 10, 2020, was the following:
- Aboriginal affairs
- Consumer issues
- Elections
- Industry
- Intellectual property
- Justice and law enforcement
- Privacy and access to information
- National security/security
- Science and technology
- Small business
- Telecommunications
- Broadcasting
Starting from October 8th, 2020, TikTok Technology Canada began reporting lobbying about health, and justice and law enforcement. Communications related to health could involve the platform’s effort to curb health misinformation, such as monkeypox, online.
Starting in October 2021, TikTok Technology Canada’s lobbying communications began including meetings with federal officials on legislative proposals “to address illegal content online”. These meetings could relate to the proposed Online Harms Bill. TikTok met with government officials in relation to the proposed Bill C-10 on online harms. TikTok supported the Online Harm Bill. Along with a formal consultation submission to the Department of Canadian Heritage (September 25, 2021), TikTok cited intentions to engage with Canada Heritage on the issue.
Note: The categories in the table below are from the Lobby Registry of Canada’s two categories under “Subject Matter Details”. The “Subject Matter Details” below are associated with a “Subject Matter”/topic based on background knowledge from news articles, public hearings, and other sources. They are not definitive.
| Platform lobby topics – TikTok Technology Canada | |||
| Subject Matters (Topics) | Legislative Proposal, Bill or Resolution | Policies or Program | Dates |
| Aboriginal Affairs | Engage federal officials about policies and programs to support Canadian creators and the creation, discoverability, and export of Canadian cultural content online, including Indigenous and French-language content. | 08/10/2020- 03/14/2023/present Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre | |
| Arts and Culture | Engage federal officials about policies and programs to support Canadian creators and the creation, discoverability, and export of Canadian cultural content online, including Indigenous and French-language content. | 08/10/2020- 03/14/2023/present Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre | |
| Consumer Issues | Engage federal officials about policies and programs to support Canadian creators and the creation, discoverability, and export of Canadian cultural content online, including Indigenous and French-language content. | 08/10/2020- 03/14/2023 Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre | |
| Industry | Engage federal officials about policies and programs to support Canadian creators and the creation, discoverability, and export of Canadian cultural content online, including Indigenous and French-language content. | 08/10/2020- 03/14/2023/present Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre | |
| Intellectual Property | Engage federal officials on policies, legislation and regulations relevant to digital media and user-generated online content, including data security and copyright. | 08/10/2020- 03/14/2023/present Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre | |
| National Security/Security | Engage federal officials on policies, legislation and regulations relevant to digital media and user-generated online content, including privacy, data security, and copyright. Engage federal officials on proposed legal framework to address illegal content online. | 08/10/2020- 03/14/2023/present Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre | |
| Privacy and Access to Information | Engage federal officials on policies, legislation and regulations relevant to digital media and user-generated online content, including privacy, data security, and copyright. | 08/10/2020- 03/14/2023/present Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre | |
| Science and Technology | Engage federal officials on policies, legislation and regulations relevant to digital media and user-generated online content, including privacy, data security, and copyright. | 08/10/2020- 03/14/2023/present Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre | |
| Small Business | Engage federal officials about policies and programs to support Canadian creators and the creation, discoverability, and export of Canadian cultural content online, including Indigenous and French-language content. | Engage federal officials on policies, legislation and regulations relevant to digital media and user-generated online content, including data security and copyright. | 08/10/2020- 03/14/2023/present Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre |
| Telecommunications | Engage federal officials on policies, legislation and regulations relevant to digital media and user-generated online content, including data security and copyright. | 08/10/2020-03/14/2023/present Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre | |
| Elections | Engage federal officials on proposed legal framework to address illegal content online. | Added in 08/10/2020 through a monthly communication report until 03/14/2023/present | |
| Health | Engage federal officials on proposed legal framework to address illegal content online. | 10/08/2020 – 05/11/2022 Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre | |
| Broadcasting | Engage federal officials on policies, legislation and regulations relevant to digital media and user-generated online content, including privacy, data security, and copyright. | Added in 02/01/2020 through a monthly communication report until 03/14/2023/present | |
| Justice and Law Enforcement | Engage federal officials on policies, legislation and regulations relevant to digital media and user-generated online content, including privacy, data security, and copyright. Engage federal officials on proposed legal framework to address illegal content online. | Added in 10/08/2020 through a monthly communication report until 03/14/2023/present | |
What government institutions does TikTok lobby?
TikTok has lobbied 18 government institutions to date. A complete list of institutions is provided below using information from the Lobbying Registry.
- Canadian Heritage (PCH)
- Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC)
- Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)
- Elections Canada
- Finance Canada (FIN)
- Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
- Health Canada (HC)
- House of Commons
- Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
- Justice Canada (JC)
- National Defence (DND)
- Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
- Privy Council Office (PCO)
- Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
- Public Safety Canada (PS)
- Senate of Canada